A Unique Wish from Joan Grande, Seemingly Unrealistic
Joan Grande, mother of pop icon Ariana Grande, has shared her heartfelt wish for her ashes to be scattered around Cinderella Castle at Disney World. In a recent podcast appearance on “Las Culturistas,” Ariana revealed that her mom often brings up this topic whenever they visit Walt Disney World in Florida, though it’s not exactly a conversation Ariana enjoys entertaining.
Discussing Disney’s Castle and Her Mother’s Wish
While talking about Disney landmarks with hosts Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers, Ariana recalled her mom’s persistent wish. “Whenever we talk about Florida and Disney, my mom says she wants her ashes scattered there. I’m like, ‘Mom, it’s Christmas! Do we have to discuss this now?’” Ariana joked, adding that her mom insists, “You need to make sure this happens.” The 31-year-old singer humorously admitted, “I really don’t want that to happen.”
Practical Issues with the Plan
Ariana also pointed out a practical problem with her mom’s plan to have her ashes scattered at the iconic 189-foot attraction. “There are performers working there,” she explained. “You’d be sprinkling ashes on Tinker Bell and other characters waiting for their cue!” Despite Joan’s sincere desire, Disney has strict policies against scattering ashes in their parks, making it unlikely that her request would be granted.
Whoopi Goldberg’s Surprising Revelation
Interestingly, earlier this year, actress Whoopi Goldberg revealed that she actually scattered her mother’s ashes, Emma Harris, at Disneyland. She chose the beloved It’s a Small World ride, a sentimental favorite for her family. After her mother passed away in 2010, Goldberg made the spontaneous gesture to honor her memory. On Late Night with Seth Meyers in July, she recounted, “No one should do this. Don’t do it.” She explained that her mother loved Disneyland and had a special connection to the ride. “When I was little, the World’s Fair was happening [in New York], and that’s when It’s a Small World premiered. She loved it.”
A Humorous Yet Touching Memory
Goldberg humorously shared how she secretly scattered her mom’s ashes. “Throughout the ride, I’d occasionally take a little out and pretend to sneeze, saying, ‘Oh, this cold just keeps getting worse!’” She detailed her sneezing technique while navigating Disneyland, keeping her actions discreet. Despite her efforts to keep it under wraps, Goldberg later admitted to Disneyland officials what she had done. “I told them I did it because I wanted to make sure I wasn’t doing something dangerous. But there’s a reason they don’t want ashes flying around everywhere!”
A Cherished Wish and Memory
Joan Grande’s request highlights the deep bond between mother and daughter and the unique ways families remember loved ones. While Disney’s policies may prevent those wishes from coming true, the stories and memories shared by Ariana and others like Whoopi Goldberg remind us of enduring love and connection beyond life. As fans continue to support Ariana Grande, her family’s sincere moments and requests add a personal touch to her public persona.
